This review is written following a press invite to the show.
Boy Out The City is the autobiographical début one-man show from Declan Bennett, which takes audiences on a journey from his Catholic school days in Coventry, to the discovery of the gay scene in London’s Soho and the bright lights of New York City.
The show opens at the outset of the Coronavirus pandemic, a time during which Declan moved from his city life in London to the countryside. When his boyfriend goes to Atlanta for six months, Declan — a self-proclaimed 'city boy' — finds himself isolated in Oxfordshire, with only his neighbour, Anne, for occasional company and conversation. Here, in the loneliness and long days that we can surely all relate to, with only his thoughts to keep him occupied, Declan comes face to face with the demons and traumas of his past, and his titular 'Boy Out The City'.
A raw, honest, and brave exploration of navigating toxic masculinity, homophobia, and men’s mental and physical health in our turbulent world, ‘Boy Out The City’ tugs at your heart with its deep and intimate connection, played perfectly in the intimate setting of The Rep Theatre’s The Door; one of the venue’s smaller auditoriums.
The show is sharply written, and captivatingly and passionately acted by Declan Bennett, with simple yet extremely effective stage design, and clever use of sound and music to aid time and setting.
Declan Bennett in Boy Out The City takes the audience through a rainbow of emotions from sharp, cynical humour to dark reminiscence, from the fear of not fitting in, to the euphoria of being yourself; with hints of warmth in connection, rose-tinted nostalgia and unexpected and unlikely appearances from the likes of Sister Act Two and the Milk Tray Man.
A fast-paced, highly emotive and deeply resonating story shared, Boy Out The City asks audiences to surrender to the story and in doing so, to their own story too.
Running for approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, with no interval, Boy Out the City shows at The Rep until Saturday 7th September. Tickets are available from £12-15 (excluding transaction fees).
Content warning: This show contains language, slurs and content that some audience members, particularly those who have experienced homophobia, may find difficult.
Boy Out The City is written and performed by Declan Bennett, co-created and directed by Nancy Sullivan, produced and managed by Lauren Reed. With sound design by Max Pappenheim, light design by Alex Lewer, and set design by Reuben Speed.
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